Falkirk’s tourism market slumps more than 60% due to pandemic

Falkirk Council's acting head of economic development, Pete Reid, told councillors that the challenge can't be understated as the pandemic has wiped out all of the growth in tourism Falkirk has seen in the past ten years.

This time last year, tourism's contribution to the local economy came in at just under £137 million, as the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies in particular drew visitors from home and abroad.

But this year's report to the scrutiny committee showed that in the first six months of 2020, the sector had contracted by 62 per cent as a consequence of lockdowns and travel bans.

The latest 'STEAM' report - independently conducted across Scotland - shows shows that from January to June 2020 the economic value of the Falkirk area tourism sector had plunged to well below 2009 levels.

Mr Reid told the committee that the council continues to support businesses with funding and training to aid recovery once the restrictions are lifted.

But, he added, the key to returning to growth will be to keep Falkirk in people's minds as a destination through social media videos which are currently attracting millions of views.

Police hunt vandals who desecrated Bonnybridge war memorialGrangemouth businessman donates £5000 of tech to help schoolchildren

"We're still in an excellent location, we still have excellent visitor attractions that are internationally recognised and we have to be ready to come out of lockdown, build on these strengths and accelerate the opportunities," he said.

Councillor Robert Spears, the administration's spokesperson for tourism, thanked Mr Reid and his team for the work they were doing to make the Falkirk area "one of the most virtually visted in the UK".

He said: "Lockdown is a necessity that we've all got to live with but we have to use our time wisely to advertise our area.

"In many ways, we're still new - a lot of the established places people have been to many times.

"It's up to all of us to advertise our area and to tell everybody especially through social media that this is the place to visit."

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/nord/dm/FKH/V